Universal Remote Control MSC-400 Programming Manual page 80

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INSTALLATION
System Design
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The MSC-400 is designed to simplify control of a home entertainment system, from a simple stack of A/V com-
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ponents to an elaborate home theater or a whole-house audio/video distribution system. The two important
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parts of installing and programming a MSC-400 system are understanding the system device's control capabili-
ties and the user's preferences.
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Device Control Capabilities And Behavior
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It is vitally important to understand each of the system devices' control capabilities and how they behave. That
is, how can the devices be controlled and what do they really do when they are on or in standby? The MSC-
400 has multiple options for both control and sensing, so determining which options to use is critical to system
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configuration, installation and programming. (A device's capabilities, or lack there of, may also determine
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which brand or model device is used in a given system.)
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The MSC-400 can control a connected device using IR (infrared), RS232, or switch closure. First question for
IR controlled devices: Are separate On/Off commands available for this device? If they are, On/Off sensing
won't be required for this device. (Sensing a device with discrete commands isn't necessary for System
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ON/OFF, but is still useful, as will be explained in the section on Source Select Smart Macros.) Power manage-
ment for devices with discrete On/Off commands can be handled in MSC-400 programming.
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If a device does not have discrete On/Off commands, the next question is: How is the MSC-400 going to know
if it is on or off? If a device has a Control Out or switched AC outlet, a VS-1006 can provide voltage power
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sensing for the On/Off status of that device.
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If the device is an A/V (audio/video) component and has a composite video output, the question is: Does the
composite video turn off when the device is in standby? The trick here is to be sure that the device is not out-
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putting a 'black screen' that looks like the video is off. A simple test is to connect a VID-6 Video Sensor Cable
to the device composite video out and to one of the Video or Voltage Sensor Inputs on the MSC-400 Rear
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Panel. Turn the A/V device ON. The associated green LED on the MSC-400 Front Panel should illuminate. Turn
the device OFF. If the LED turns off, then the composite video out turns off in standby and video sensing can
be used. If the LED does not go out, then the device is outputting video in standby and an alternate method
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will need to be incorporated.
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For devices that do not have discrete IR commands, are not RS232 compatible and do not have a switched AC
or composite video out, another option for sensing is to use a current sensing AC outlet, as shown in TYPICAL
SYSTEM ILLUSTRATION. This method has a device's AC power cord connected to a sensed outlet that will
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output a 12V signal when current is drawn by the connected device. The 12V signal can then be connected to
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a VS-1006 for Voltage sensing.
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Another option for control is RS232. Typically, RS232 controlled devices have discrete ON/OFF commands.
Check the RS232 database in the MSC-400 editor first. If a device is not found in the library, check the
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device's manual for a RS232 Command Table, check the product manufacturer's web site or call their tech sup-
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port. As with discrete IR Commands, sensing RS232 controlled devices is not necessary for System ON/OFF,
but can be useful for Source Select Smart Macros.
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M TIP - Keep written notes on how each device is going to be sensed and controlled. This will be most helpful in
making connections during installation. (It is also vital in knowing what parts to have on hand for installation.)
A MSC-400 can sense the ON/OFF Status of up to six devices. When noting which sensing method will be
used, it is also recommended to note which device is going to be connected to which Sensor Input. This will
come in useful in making connections and programming.
Reference: Features and Parts Type in Section Title